Common causes
| Cause | What it feels like |
|---|---|
| Inflamed gum over the tooth (pericoronitis) | Sore, swollen gum at the back, bad taste, pain on biting or opening wide |
| Decay in the wisdom tooth | Ache with sweet, hot or cold, sometimes throbbing at night |
| Decay in the tooth in front | Similar, often caused by food trapped between the two |
| Tooth pushing through | Dull pressure, comes and goes |
| Infection or abscess | Throbbing pain, swelling, fever |
Relief at home
- Rinse with warm salt water (half a teaspoon in a glass) several times a day, especially after meals.
- Clean the area gently with a soft brush. Trapped food under the gum is often the cause.
- Take a painkiller you know is safe for you, following the pack.
- Use clove oil on a cotton bud for brief numbing.
- Eat soft food on the other side.
These ease a flare but don’t fix the cause, which is why repeat flares need a dental check.
See a dentist the same day if
- your face or jaw is swelling
- you have a fever or feel unwell
- you can’t open your mouth properly
- swallowing is painful
- pain is severe or keeps you awake
If swelling spreads to your eye or neck, or you’re struggling to swallow or breathe, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
What we do
We find the cause with an examination and an X-ray, or a 3D scan if the tooth is close to the nerve. A flare can be cleaned and treated the same day. If the tooth needs to come out, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon removes it, often at a planned visit once the inflammation has settled. We’re open 10am to 8pm every day, with same-day appointments for pain. See wisdom tooth removal.
Questions patients ask us
How many days does wisdom tooth pain last?
A flare of gum inflammation often settles in three to seven days with cleaning and rinses. If it lasts longer, keeps coming back, or there's swelling, it needs to be looked at.
What is the best tablet for wisdom tooth pain?
An over-the-counter painkiller you know is safe for you, following the pack. Don't hold tablets against the gum, as they can burn it. Antibiotics only help when there's spreading infection, and the cause still needs treating.
What home remedies help wisdom tooth pain?
Warm salt-water rinses several times a day, brushing gently around the tooth with a soft brush, clove oil on a cotton bud for brief numbing, and soft food on the other side.
Does wisdom tooth pain mean it must come out?
Not always. A single flare can settle. Removal is usually advised for repeated infections, decay that can't be fixed, damage to the tooth in front, or a cyst.
Why does wisdom tooth pain spread to my ear or jaw?
The nerves of the back teeth, jaw and ear are closely linked, so pain from a lower wisdom tooth is often felt in the ear, the jaw joint or the side of the head.
Sources
NHS: wisdom tooth removal ↗ADA MouthHealthy: wisdom teeth ↗NHS: dental abscess ↗Last updated 14 October 2026.